Five Reasons We’re Excited for Madden NFL 15

In less than 24 hours, the latest chapter in EA Sports’ epic football series, Madden NFL 15, launches. We’re so pumped that we’re listening to Jock Jams on repeat until the game is in our hands. And we’ve got a lot to look forward to this year, from the Madden NFL 15 Xbox One Bundle to a bunch of exciting new gameplay features. Here are five reasons to get excited for Madden NFL 15.

Defensive Camera and ControlThis year, Madden NFL 15 is all about the tackle. The defensive line gets the respect it deserves, with new camera angles and tackle controls that let you read plays better – and take bigger risks to keep the ball away from your end zone. Defensive play feels more balanced, and players are rewarded for their timing and strategy, usually in the form of an amazing, quarterback-crushing sack.

Gauntlet Mode

The Madden NFL 15 Skills Trainer is getting an awesome upgrade in the form of Gauntlet Mode, an arcade-style collection of drills and minigames, complete with leaderboards and “boss battles.” Prove you’ve got the fundamentals to be a true Madden great, then go above that and take on insane challenges like kicking field goals in hurricane force winds. There are even more ways to prove your skills to your buddies.

Confidence/Game Prep

Furthering the full football experience, Madden NFL 15 features two new wrinkles when it comes to coaching your team. On-field performance can impact individual players’ confidence levels, and now you’ll have to work with your team in-between games to make sure they’re prepped for the next match. Do you focus on long term team building, or get your guys pumped for an intense rivalry game? You’re in it for the long haul in Franchise, and these cool new features add future-looking elements to the mode.

Connected Franchise

Connected Franchise is the core of the Madden experience, and this year, it’s bigger and better than ever. We can’t wait to take control of every aspect of our team – even deciding where their new stadium is, or what their uniforms look like. And with the ability to play with up to 29 of your friends in one NFL universe, you can see just how insane football would get if you and your buds were calling the shots.

New Level of RealismMadden NFL 15 will be the most realistic football game to date, using the Xbox One’s power to present all-new animations and player reactions. Developer EA Tiburon has worked with the NFL Network to truly capture the experience on the field. New camera angles make Madden feel like any NFL game you’d watch on TV, and the vastly improved celebrations add life and personality to every player on the field.

All of this football awesomeness hits Xbox One and Xbox 360 on August 26.